Alt om min far
Norway, Denmark
Synopsis
All about my father is a personal documentary about a well-respected doctor and transvestite in a small religious town, directed by the one person most likely to convey his story with warmth, humor and irony: his son. Armed with a small video camera, and with the use of old nostalgic S8mm and 16mm archive family footage, he set out to make a film about his transvestite father.
Director's Statement
Contrary to my father 's idea that this film will promote him as a colourful and different person who uses all his time and effort to combat the cultural bureaucracy, I wish to make a deeply personal portrait where the father-son problem area is considerate, and where the amount of harm one person's self-realisation can have on others is established. Dad's transvestism forms the Basis of the film, and is a recurring theme that will guide us through a somewhat different family saga.
I have made this film on my own terms. lt is important to show that my family is not unique - there are many families like mine, and by making this film I hope others can see their families in perspective. In order to do this, I could not compromise - confrontation was both pertinent and meaningful to make this a genuine film.
I have made this film on my own terms. lt is important to show that my family is not unique - there are many families like mine, and by making this film I hope others can see their families in perspective. In order to do this, I could not compromise - confrontation was both pertinent and meaningful to make this a genuine film.
Cast & Crew
Directed by: Even Benestad
Written by: Even Benestad, August B. Hanssen
Produced by: Bjørn Eivind Aarskog
Cinematography: Bjørn Eivind Aarskog
Editing: Erik Andersson
Original Score: John Erik Kaada
Cast: Espen Benestad, Elsa Almås, Elisabeth Benestad, Even Benestad
Nominations and Awards
- European Documentary Award – Prix Arte 2002